Hola! Come along as I take you on a road trip through Spain. To get around Spain I rented a car. Compared to prices in the US, renting a car was very affordable and it gave my husband and me a lot of flexibility when traveling between cities. That said, if I were traveling solo, I would have chosen the train instead. Spain has an extensive rail network and it is a very common way to get around.

There are a few downsides to renting a car. Gas is expensive, and many hotels charge extra for overnight parking. You also need an international driver’s license, so be sure to get that before your trip. And make sure someone in your group knows how to drive a stick shift. Huge thanks to my husband, Colin, for handling the driving. I definitely would have panicked trying to navigate multi-lane roundabouts in a manual car.

Madrid

Flying into Madrid is a great option for a first trip to Spain. We started our time in the city with a free walking tour, as we often do. With so many free walking tour companies in Madrid, it can be hard to choose. These tours are extremely popular across Spain. We ended up doing a walking tour in nearly every city we visited.

As a vegetarian, eating and drinking in Spain came with a few challenges. Fortunately, larger cities like Madrid offer plenty of vegetarian-friendly restaurants and tapas options, making it possible to still enjoy traditional Spanish food. A casual and trendy spot for Spanish tortillas (a classic omelete made with eggs and potatoes) and croquettes (deep-fried ball or roll) is Pez Tortilla. Although it is not vegetarian-friendly, Restaurante Botín is worth mentioning for its history alone. Founded in 1725, it is recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest restaurant in the world. Reservations are highly recommended, and it’s worth taking time to explore the restaurant’s multiple levels. Mercado de San Miguel is one of Madrid’s most famous food markets, though I personally found it crowded and very touristy.

On a sweet note, Madrid is known for its excellent sangria and the desserts did not disappoint. The city is famous for hot churros dipped in thick, rich, hot chocolate, which is served in a large mug with plenty for dipping. Try Chocolatería San Ginés and Chocolatería 1902 Churrería.

One of the top things to do in Madrid is visit the Royal Palace of Madrid. While tickets are available at the door, purchasing them in advance allows you to skip the long lines. Located right next to the palace is Almudena Cathedral. When traveling through Spain, you quickly realize how many cathedrals you’ll see. While beautiful, this one was not a personal highlight for me.

My favorite part of Madrid is its world-class art museums. Madrid’s “Golden Triangle of Art” includes the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. The Prado is the largest and most famous, but the Reina Sofía was my favorite, especially for Picasso’s iconic Guernica and works by Salvador Dalí.

All three museums are worth visiting, and travelers can purchase an art walk pass to see all three at a discounted rate. There are also free museum hours on select days and times. If you plan to visit during free admission, arrive early, as long lines tend to form quickly.

Toledo

Toledo is an easy day trip from Madrid (30 min train ride), or in our case, a short stop on our drive out of the city. Wandering through the medieval city streets of the old town is a great way to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Buy a ticket to walk through the beautiful Toledo Cathedral first. Next, check out the Alcazar of Toledo. Eat marzipan (a sweet almond paste) from a little shop. For lunch stop at Madre Tierra to try a vegetarian version of carcamusas stew.

Valencia

On your first trip to Spain if you are salivating for paella, stop in Valencia, the birthplace of this delicious rice dish. It is cooked in a very wide and shallow pan and can be found all over the city. For accommodations, I would try to stay as close as possible to Valencia’s Old Town, the heart of the tourist attractions. Driving into the city we were initially underwhelmed. But after exploring the Old Town, our opinion quickly changed.

Go on a walking tour of the Old Town to get acquainted, often meeting at the Plaza de la Virgen, with its beautiful fountain. Afterward dip fartons (spongy sweet buns) in horchata at Horchatería Santa Catalina.

Check out the nearby Central Market and Silk Exchange building (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). And don’t miss the Valencia Cathedral & Miguelete Tower. Climb to the top of the tower for amazing views of the city.

For another drink break, sit inside at Café de las Horas. Order an Agua de Valencia (orange juice alcoholic drink) while enjoying the unique and quirky decor. Stay a day or so more and then pack up your bags to drive west to Granada.

Granada

On your first trip to Spain do not skip Granada. First off, the views. A well-known viewpoint is Mirador de San Nicolas. However, if you are willing to make the steep walk up, the Mirador de San Cristobal viewpoint is even better. I’m talking birds eye view of the city.

You cannot forget visiting the main attraction of both viewpoints, the Alhambra. It is a vast palace and fortress renowned for its intricate Islamic architecture. It is the reason people go to Granada. Make sure to get tickets far in advance as they sell out quickly. Although we explored without a guide, I would recommend joining a guided tour. The complex is confusing to navigate on your own.

If you are open to another cathedral, in the heart of the city is the Catedral de Granada, and adjacent to it, the Royal Chapel of Granada. Both are worth a visit. And as always, do a walking tour, specifically one through the historic neighborhood of Albaicin, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As you wind through the steep, narrow streets admire the whitewashed houses which have Moorish roots.

Sevilla

Sevilla is a city that brings up mixed emotions. On your first trip to Spain, there is something you should not do. Do not go to the Plaza de Toros de Sevilla and attend a bull fight. We made this mistake. Thinking the show would be similar to a rodeo, I agreed to buy tickets. Sitting in the large ring, with a band playing and the sun on my face, I was feeling good and enjoying the day. Little did I know, I would later be crying. At the bull fight they actually kill multiple bulls. This was horrific to watch and we left once we realized what was happening. I hate that we supported the animal cruelty by buying the tickets, but I hope that others can learn from our mistake.

Sevilla, a beautiful city, offers much more than just the bull ring. Visit the Seville Cathedral and ascend the Giralda, its iconic bell tower. Explore the historic Royal Alcázar of Seville, a grand royal palace. Stroll through the Plaza de España and its adjacent Parque de María Luisa.

Although attending a flamenco show is a must (Sevilla is the birthplace of this art form), taking a flamenco dance class offers an additional unique and immersive experience. We took an hour group class to learn some basic moves.

Santiago de Compostela

If you’re not exhausted from all your dancing, pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, one of the three holy cities of Christianity. The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, at the city center, is the final destination of the Camino de Santiago. It also houses the tomb of the Apostle St. James. I recommend buying the ticket that includes the cathedral museum and rooftop tour. The guided group tour of the cathedral rooftop offers a unique experience. However, it’s important to exercise caution, as there are many steps and no railings. If you’re not steady on your feet, this tour may not be for you.

Next to the Cathedral a worthwhile museum to visit is the Museum of Pilgrimage and Santiago. It gives a great overview of the historical significance of the city. As a treat after, sit down at a cafe and eat a piece of Tarta de Santiago, Spanish almond cake.

With more time in Spain I would add stays in Barcelona and Córdoba. And maybe even take a ferry to the islands of Mallorca or Ibiza. If you are staying on the mainland, Portugal is another fantastic addition to your trip. For more details on how to make a road trip even more epic, check out my First Trip to Portugal.